In our final episode, we’re shaking things up and getting real about the struggles we’re currently working through.

In this episode:

Carly shares her grind of stepping out more boldly in evangelization.

Raleigh opens up about the challenge of helping her kids navigate a culture she’s still trying to understand herself.

We’re ending this season with honesty, growth, and a reminder that the grind is where transformation happens.

We’d love to hear from you!

Episode References:

<>< Catechism of the Catholic Church 2204: The Domestic Church: The Christian family is called a "domestic church" because it is a community of faith, hope, and charity. It is the first and foundational place where children learn to pray, read God's Word, and serve others.

<>< Catechism of the Catholic Church 2205: A Reflection of Divine Communion: The family mirrors the loving communion of the Holy Trinity. Parents share in God the Father's work of creation by bringing new life into the world and educating their children.

<>< Catechism of the Catholic Church 2206: A Community of Mutual Respect: Family relationships thrive on affection, mutual respect, and shared interests. The family acts as a privileged community where spouses deliberate and cooperate as parents in the upbringing of their children.

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Relationships flourish when both parties are actively present and fully engaged, transcending sporadic interactions. Similarly, prayer is intended to be a continual dialogue with God, not confined to liturgical settings or times of distress. God, in His infinite love and respect for our free will, invites us into a deeper communion with Him. He patiently anticipates our response, for while He remains ever-present, true intimacy with Him deepens when we consciously participate in this divine relationship.

Quick Tips:

1. Build Prayer Into Your Routine

2. Fill Your Home with Reminders of God

3. Use Your Technology for Good

4. Read the Bible—Keep It Simple

5. Join a Prayer Community

6. Offer Your Work to God

7. Embrace Silence

Raleigh then shares her favorite formula for prayer: remember P.R.A.Y.

P – Praise: Thank God for who He is

R – Reconcile: Ask for forgiveness

A – Ask: Bring your needs and desires

Y – Yield: Surrender your will to God’s

Experts from The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Prayer and Mentioned Quotes:

CCC 2559: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God."

CCC 2565: "In the New Covenant, prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit."

“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone" -Blaise Pascal

“If you don’t have time to pray and read the scriptures, you are busier than God ever intended you to be.” -Matthew Kelly

Reflection Questions: How are you currently prioritizing prayer in your life?

Have a “grind” you want us to discuss in future episodes?
Send us a DM on Instagram @thegloryandthegrind or email us at thegloryandthegrindpod@gmail.com

Have a “grind” you want us to discuss in future episodes? Send us an email or DM on social media!

EMAIL: thegloryandthegrindpod@gmail.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGloryandtheGrindPodcast
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegloryandthegrind/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588713602700

Send us Fan Mail

Have a “grind” you want us to discuss in future episodes? Send us an email or DM on social media!

EMAIL: thegloryandthegrindpod@gmail.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGloryandtheGrindPodcast
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegloryandthegrind/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588713602700

In this episode, Carly and Raleigh explore the difference between fear-based faith and love-rooted obedience — and why so many sincere believers struggle to tell the difference.

God’s Promise from Micah 6:8 “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Carly shares a story from her past about a conversation with an ex-boyfriend regarding Mass attendance: If we’re practicing our faith primarily out of fear, are we missing the point of the Gospel?

From there, we define two common spiritual struggles:

• Legalism- The belief that God’s love must be earned through perfect performance — following traditions, rules, or a “rule of life” strictly out of duty rather than love or intention.
• Scrupulosity- A disordered fear of sin that distorts God’s mercy, often leading to anxiety, self-punishment, and despair rather than freedom.

Many saints — and many people earnestly trying to follow Christ — fall into legalism and scrupulosity because they want to please God.

God can appear harsh in Scripture when misunderstood. The world is often harsh and demanding. Authority figures in our lives can sometimes model severity instead of mercy. All of this can make it difficult to trust God — who is authority itself — as gentle, patient, and kind.

Saint Spotlight: St. Jane de Chantal a powerful example of how God heals perfectionism through gentleness.

Born in France in 1572. Lost her mother early in life. Later widowed after having six children, two of whom also died.

Overwhelmed by grief, she became extremely strict with herself and her household. Turned to intense penances, rigid prayer schedules, and self-punishment in an attempt to regain control.

Through the guidance of St. Francis de Sales, her spiritual director, she learned three life-changing truths:

1. God desires gentleness

2. Holiness grows through patience with weakness

3. Love must be free

Together, they founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, created especially for women who were widowed or physically unable to sustain demanding religious life.

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as true strength.” - St. Jane de Chantal is the patron saint of those who struggle with perfectionism.

Key Faith Takeaways

1. A well-formed conscience helps us live God’s commandments in love, not anxiety.

2. Jesus consistently challenged rigid interpretations of the law in the Gospels.

3. The Pharisees remind us what happens when rules are prioritized over mercy, justice, and faith.

4. The Book of Micah calls us back to a God who desires freedom, humility, and relationship — not fear-based obedience.

5. God does not ask us to earn His love or our salvation.

Practical Recommendations for Healing

1. Go to Confession regularly

2. Speak honestly with a priest or spiritual director

3. Practice conversational prayer

4. Read gentle, trustworthy spiritual works

5. Find an accountability partner who reminds you of God’s goodness when fear creeps in

Reflection Question: When you think about your spiritual life, are you filled with anxiety and a sense of loss? Do you believe you are beloved by a gentle, loving God?

Scripture Passages References

“Therefore, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Recommended Resources

The Heart of Perfection — Colleen Carroll Campbell

Introduction to the Devout Life — St. Francis de Sales

Have a “grind” you want us to discuss in future episodes?

Send us a DM on Instagram @thegloryandthegrind or email us at thegloryandthegrindpod@gmail.com

Send us Fan Mail

Have a “grind” you want us to discuss in future episodes? Send us an email or DM on social media!

EMAIL: thegloryandthegrindpod@gmail.com
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGloryandtheGrindPodcast
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegloryandthegrind/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588713602700